N64 Buyers Guide: Sports

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By IGN Staff

The N64 can be a bit frustrating for sports fanatics because the console misses out on a lot of franchises and the most cutting edge updates to more established videogame series. The best sports games on the N64 are usually better than the best sports games on other consoles, there's just not enough of them. The console's graphics capabilities combined with some dedicated programmers have produced some of the most enjoyable arcade and simulation sports experiences on any platform. You can't go wrong with these choices.

The first real effort from the respected publisher of sports videogames was the best footbal game period until NFL 2K for the Dreamcast came along. It had the full NFL license, superb detail and the best graphics of any football simulation. It gets the nod over Madden 2000 because of the excellent player models and attention to the smallest NFL details.

This game took everything the original Kobe Bryant hoops game did and made it better. The rollicking new arcade mode and extremely realistic A.I. are a devastating one-punch for any serious NBA fan. No NBA sim plays smoother or smarter than this second effort from Left Field.

Sometimes you had to remind yourself that it was a videogame. That's how good this game looked. The update for 2000 had head tracking, innovative 3D batting interface and the highest resolution graphics allowed by law. The stats sections were so deep and comprehensive that the game itself sometimes had trouble keeping track of them.

There's not much realism here beyond the official NFL teams and players, but we're talking about an amazingly fun gaming experience. The '99 version was great, but for 2000 you got the added goodies of a deep play editor and the option for four player games. This game was and will be the cause of lots of trash talking.

Until the oft delayed sequel, Major League Soccer comes out, this is the king of all "football" games. Splendid animation and solid mechanics overcame the game's lack of an official license. It was as fast and exciting as a soccer videogame can be without being hokey.